Haldol vs. Zyprexa

Haldol (haloperidol) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) are antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia.

Haldol is also used to treat to control motor (movement) and verbal (for example, Tourette's syndrome) tics and to treat severe behavior problems in children.

Zyprexa is also used to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder.

Side effects of Haldol and Zyprexa that are similar include dry mouth, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, breast swelling or discharge (in women or men), and irregular or missed menstrual periods.

Side effects of Haldol that are different from Zyprexa include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, spinning sensation, sleep problems (insomnia), anxiety, skin rash, itching, spontaneous eye movements, mood changes, loss of interest in sex, blurred vision, difficulty urinating or urinating less than usual, and occasional movement disorders.

Side effects of Zyprexa that are different from Haldol include inability to sit still, constipation, lightheadedness, tiredness, weight gain (more likely in teenagers), increased appetite, memory problems, stomach pain or upset, loss of bladder control, back pain, pain in your arms or legs, and numbness or tingly feeling.

Both Haldol and Zyprexa may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, prescription cough medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures).

Haldol may also interact with cancer medicines, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, heart rhythm medicines, or medicines to treat a psychiatric disorder.

Zyprexa may also interact with heart or blood pressure medications, diazepam, olanzapine, omeprazole, rifampin, or medications to treat Parkinson's disease.

Do not stop using Haldol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Side effects of Haldol include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• dry mouth,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• restlessness,
• anxiety,
• skin rash,
• itching,
• spontaneous eye movements,
• mood changes,
• breast enlargement,
• irregular menstrual periods,
• loss of interest in sex,
• blurred vision,
• difficulty urinating or urinating less than usual, and
• occasional movement disorders

Severe side effects of Haldol include:

• death in the elderly,
• prolongation of the QT heartbeat interval,
• tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements), prolonged erection (hours),
• a symptom complex sometimes referred to as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with fever,
• irregular heartbeats,
• mental status changes, and
• renal failure

Common side effects of Zyprexa include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• constipation,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• eye redness,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stuffy nose,
• itching, or
• rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Zyprexa including:

• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• slow heart rate,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• seizures (convulsions), or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Haldol (haloperidol) is an antipsychotic drug that decreases excitement in the brain. Haldol is used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, to control motor (movement) and verbal (for example, Tourette's syndrome) tics and is used to treat severe behavior problems in children.

Haldol is also used to treat or manage:

• Schizophrenia
• manic or mixed episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder
• major depressive disorder (MDD) when ABILIFY is used with antidepressant medicines
• irritability associated with autistic disorder
• Tourette's disorder

Haldol Injection is a prescription medicine used to treat:

• agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania

It is not known if Haldol is safe or effective in children:

• under 13 years of age with schizophrenia
• under 10 years of age with bipolar I disorder
• under 6 years of age with irritability associated with autistic disorder
• under 6 years of age with Tourette's disorder

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and manic episodes of bipolar disorder.

Haldol may interact with other drugs so the patient needs close observation or monitoring to determine if other side effects develop.

Zyprexa may interact with other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold or allergy medicines, narcotic pain medicines, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicines for depression, seizure, anxiety), and heart or blood pressure medications. Zyprexa may also interact with carbamazepine, diazepam, fluoxetine, olanzapine, fluvoxamine, omeprazole, rifampin, or medications to treat Parkinson's disease.

Haldol (ziprasidone HCl) is available as capsules and Haldol (ziprasidone mesylate) is available as an injection for intramuscular use.

Haldol Capsules should be administered at an initial daily dose of 20 mg twice daily with food. For intramuscular dosing, the recommended dose of Haldol is 10 mg to 20 mg administered as required up to a maximum dose of 40 mg per day.

The recommended starting dose of Zyprexa is six grams a day for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day. Zyprexa may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Zyprexa should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.